Russia‑Ukraine missile escalation

In late May 2026 Russia launched a large‑scale strike on Kyiv, employing around 600 drones, 90 missiles and, for only the second time in combat, a hypersonic Orekh ballistic missile that hit a water‑supply facility and caused extensive damage. Ukrainian air defences shot down most of the drones and missiles, but the attack marked an unprecedented intensification of the four‑year war.

A few weeks later, in mid‑June, Russian forces were reported to have used the newly developed Banderol cruise missile against Kyiv. The missile, launched from an Orion drone, is described as a cheaper, highly maneuverable alternative to existing Russian cruise missiles and is intended for integration on tactical aircraft and helicopters. Its introduction suggests Russia is continuing to expand its missile repertoire and seek weapons that complicate Ukrainian air‑defence efforts.

Together, the two events illustrate a pattern of Russia introducing newer, more sophisticated missile systems in its campaign against Ukraine’s capital, signaling an ongoing escalation in the conflict's weaponry and operational tactics.